Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto is suddenly attracting lots of interest with Everton and Newcastle United among the clubs interested, and Leeds should use that to their advantage.
The 20-year-old winger has endured a difficult 12 months after trying to force his way out of Leeds last summer. He refused to play for three games, before eventually being reintegrated into the starting XI.
But it took half a season with the Italy star forced to sit on the bench for the majority of the first half of the 2023-24 season by Daniel Farke. Going into the summer, it was expected he would leave Leeds.
It was unclear if there would be any interested parties, even though Gnonto’s entourage believe he will go. This week, Everton and Newcastle have been linked with a move for the former Inter winger.
Why Leeds need to seriously consider a left-back this summer
Junior Firpo is the only senior, left-footed left-back in the squad. Sam Byram is an injury-prone back-up and Leeds need to address that area of the squad. Especially, with Firpo’s contract due to expire in 2025.
Either Leeds sell Firpo, or offer him a new deal to avoid losing him on a free. Firpo is ‘expected’ to go and the fact the club have allowed Firpo to go to The Olympics this summer, and not Mateo Joseph, is a sign.
So, Leeds need to use talks with Newcastle to their advantage. Leeds used negotiations with Tottenham for Archie Gray to strike a deal for Joe Rodon, and they should do the same with The Toon this summer.
Jesse Marsch wanted Newcastle United left-back back in 2022
Rewind to the summer of 2022, and Jesse Marsch had just some how kept Leeds in the Premier League. Not by the American’s doing, but more the brilliance of Raphinha and Jack Harrison’s winner at Brentford.
That summer, 90Min said Leeds wanted Matt Targett. The left-back had just impressed at Newcastle on loan from Aston Villa for six months and eventually, Eddie Howe’s side struck a £15m deal to sign Targett.
Described as “outstanding” by Howe, Targett fell down the Toon pecking order last season due to injury. With Lewis Hall signed permanently at St. James’ Park, Targett is expected to leave Tyneside this summer.
Leeds should request Targett in Gnonto talks with Newcastle
While Everton seem to be favourites to sign Gnonto, Newcastle are also in the mix and Leeds should try to do a deal that sees them sign Targett in a deal for the winger, given Targett’s price has gone down.
Leeds need a left-back but no longer need the cash so desperately following the sale of Archie Gray. The Targett has 162 Premier League outings to his name but also Championship experience at Southampton.
He would be a wonderful signing if Leeds could reignite their 2022 interest in the defender amid talks for Gnonto, solving their left-back concerns surrounding Firpo who is said to be interesting Real Betis.
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